Beer cooler



May 7, 1940.

R. c. AYERS 2.199.718

BEER COOLER Filed May 1s 1939 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Z7 Z6" Z Z7 2 I I lmzenior w I Pay C 4 01;

A itorneys y 1940- R. c. AYERS 2.199.718

BEER COOLER Filed May 15, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet 2 II I Inventor Pay C flyer: I

A fforneys May 7, 1940. R. C. AYERS 2.199.718

' BEER COOLER Filed May 15, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 In venior A itorneys f atented May 7, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE T BEER oooLEa Ray C. Ayers, Hutchinson, Kans. Application May 15, 1939, Serial No. 273,7,79

4 Claims. (01. 62-419) My invention relates to improvements in beer coolers for cooling draught beer in the keg.

As is well known in the art, draught beer is kept at the brewers at temperatures ranging from thirty-four to forty-two degrees Fahrenheit and stored in shipment in refrigerator cars at a temperature within such a range of variations. It is important when the beer is delivered to the retailer, or dispenser, and tapped that this temperature range be maintained, thirtyeight degrees being the ideal temperature and for the following reasons; v

At this, or approximately such temperature, the beer develops the proper beer-gas pressure, about eight pounds to a thirty-one gallon keg, to impart thereto when drawn the true beer flavor. In order to keep draught beer from going flat it is necessary to use carbon dioxide gas therein from twelve to fifteen pounds of pressure depending on the distance between the gas tank and keg. If the beer on draught is tapped at a higher temperature, for instance as commonly occurs fifty or sixty degrees, the natural beer-gas pressure rises. Under this condition, with carbon dioxide introduced therein atthe necessary twelve to fifteen pounds of pressure, the natural beer gas is soon forced out of the beer to the top of the keg. The result is loss of true'beer flavor and in fact fiat beer. This-condition also results in decreasing the number of glasses which can be drawn from a keg for reasons which will be understood.

Having the foregoing in mind, it is the principal object of my invention to provide abeer cooler for keg beer constructed and arranged to maintain all the beer in the keg at the-proper temperature and the natural beer 'gas'at the proper ratio under imposed pressure until the entire contents of the keg has been drawn.

Another object is to provide apparatus of the character-and for the purpose set forth'whichis compact, simple in construction, adapted for quick-cooling action, and economicalin operation and upkeep.

Another object is to provide individual cooling compartments for beer kegs, or other ,containers, constructed and arranged so that loading or unloading of either compartment is. made easy and will not affect the temperature of the other nor damage the cooling system. I

Still another object is to provide a beer cooler equipped for maintaining the drinkingglasses walls.

or panel l4.

ferred embodiment of my invention has been illustrated in the, accompanying drawings, set forth in detail in the succeeding description, and defined in the claims appended hereto.

In said drawings:

Figure lisa view in front elevation of the preferred embodiment of my invention with the door of the' cabinet section open,

Figure 2 is a view in top plan,

, Figure 3 is a view in horizontal section taken i on the line 33 of Figure 1 looking downwardly as indicated by the arrows and drawn to an enlarged scale with the cabinet section and parts therein eliminated, 1

, Figure l is a view in transverse vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows,

Figure 5 is a view in vertical longitudinal sec tion taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view in horizontal.

section taken on the line 5-6 of Figure 4, and Figure '7 is a detailed view in vertical section showing the manner in which the coil stretches are bonded to the shells.

Referring to the drawings bynumerals, in the illustrated embodiment thereof thebeer cooler of myinvention comprises a. rectangular cooling section I, surmounted by a bar, or serving, section 2, and a cabinet section 3 at one end of said section I which may constitute an integraLl or separate, part of section I as desired.

The cooling section 1 comprises a sheet metal box-like casing of elongated rectangular form and preferably of sheet steel and including outer bottom, front, top and end walls 4, 5, 6 and I, respectively, said casing being open at the rear side thereof. Spaced at a suitable distance above the outer-bottom wall 4 is an inner sheet steel bottom'wall 8 extending to the end walls I and 4 to the front wall 5 and rear edges of said end Similarlyv spaced below the outer top wall 6 is an inner sheet steel top wall 10 extending to'the end walls 1 and from the front wall 5 to I the rear edges of said walls I. As shown in Figinc 4, the space between the rear edges of said top walls 6 and I0 is closed, as at H, and that between the outer and inner bottom walls 4 and 8 as at l2- The space between the outer and inher top walls 6 and Ill is filled by a slab, or panel,

[3 of cork insulation and that between the outer and inner bottom walls 4 and 8 by a similar slab The front wall 5 is extended upwardly above the top wall 6 then rearwardly over the same and then downwardly to said wall 6 to form a bar 2 surmounting substantially the front half of the top of the casing I, the top wall Ii in the rear of the bar 2 being used as a drain ledge or shelf I5. The top of the bar 2 may be reinforced as by a suitable rigid panel I6 of wood insulation thereunder, and closed at its ends by extensions ll of end walls 1. The top wall 6 may be beaded as at I8 around the edge of the ledge I5 to retain liquid thereon and drained in any suitable manner.

Within the section I are two cooling compartments I9 and formed as follows: A pair of U-shaped steel shells 2| are fitted endwise between the walls 8 and I5 open side rearmost and upon opposite sides of the transverse center of said section in spaced-apart relation to each other and to the front wall 5 and end walls 1, and with the longitudinal rear edges thereof slightly spaced inwardly from the rear open side of the section for a purpose presently appearing. The space between the ends I of the casing of section I and the adjacent vertical rear edges of said shells 2| is bridged and sealed by door framing comprising an outer transversely angular vertically extending facing strip 22 of heavy metal and a suitable insulation filler backing said facing strip 22. The space between adjacent vertical rear edges of the shells is similarly bridged by a vertically extending box-like casing strip 24 and a filler of suitable insulation 25 in said strip. The strips 22, 24 form together with the closure parts II, I2 doorways for the compartments I9, 29 adapted to be closed by a pair of heavy suitably insulated doors 2S, 2'! hinged to the strip 24, as at 28 and having latches 29 thereon engaging keepers 29' on the strips 22.

As will now be seen, the walls 8 and Ill form the bottom and top of said compartments I9, 20 and said compartments are each designed so that a beer keg 39 housed therein will fit in the same with only a slight clearance.

Transversely disposed cleats 3| are provided in each compartment I9, 29 on the wall 8 to facilitate loading the kegs I3 therein and to space said kegs above said wall for circulation of air under the same.

Fitting against the outer faces of said shells 2| is a cooling unit, or assembly, of vertically spaced coils 32 including horizontally extending stretches bent upon themselves to follow the contour of saidshells and bridge the space between the same, said coils extendingsubstantially to the edges of said shells and being preferably formed of a single length of tubing having intake and discharge ends 33, 3 3 terminating in the cabinet section 3.

The coils, or unit, 32 are bonded to the outer faces of the shells 2| in intimate contact therewith by solder 35. Surrounding the coils 32 is a layer of block cork insulation 36 following the contour of the shells 2| and fitting into the space between the straight stretches of said coils and the ends of the section I. The blocks of insulation 36 are anchored together by a layer of asphalt or asphalt cement, 3 1 filling in between the stretches of the coils. The spaces between the cork insulation layer and the front and end walls 5 and l of section I are filled with suitable insulation 38 of a cementitious material.

Preferably for tapping the kegs direct draw draught tubes are utilized, each including an enlarged tubular head 39 equippedwith a tap 40 and extending downwardly through the bar section 2, the walls 6 and I9 and insulation slab I3,

and by way of bushings 4| extending from the wall II] to the top of section 2 and in which the heads 39 have a drive fit. The lower end 42 of each draught tube extends into the keg 3D in the usual manner to approximately the bottom thereof and is secured to the related head by a coupling 43. The kegs 39 are equipped with the usual connections 45 for lines 45 leading from the charging tank, not shown. The lines 45 may be introduced into the compartments I9, 29 in any suitable manner. When only one keg 39 is on tap the bushing 4| for the empty compartment may be closed by a close-fitting plug 46. The cabinet section 3 includes countersunk top portion forming a sink, or tank, 41 at the rear thereof for cooling glasses, said sink being surrounded within the cabinet section 3 by a cooling coil 48 and having a drain pipe 49 extending through one side of said section and equipped with a drain cock 50.

The cabinet section 3 houses beneath said sink l? a suitable plant for a refrigerant, such as ammonia, which includes a condenser tank 5| and a compressor 52 driven by a motor 53. The tank 5| and compressor 52 may be hooked up to the unit, or coils 32 and to the coil 48 in any suitable manner as for instance by a feed line 5 3 from the bottom of the tank 5| to a header 55 to which header the intake end 33 of unit or coils 32 is connected by a line 56 extending to one end of the coil 48. The discharge end of the coils 32, 43 may be connected in a common return line 51 to the compressor 52. A line 58 suitably connects the compressor 52 to said tank 5|. A suitable control valve 59 in the header 55 is provided. Access to the described part of the plant may be had by a door 60 in the rear of said cabinet section 2.

A suitable drain pipe 61 common to the ledge I5 and compartments I9, 20 may be provided as shown by dotted line in Figure 1.

It will now be seen that I have devised a beer cooling apparatus adapted for a high degree of 'efficiency, compactness in arrangement, convenience and which is sanitary. Among the many other advantages of the invention it is desired to particularly emphasize the following.

The close proximity of the kegs 30 to the shells 39 obtained reduces air space to be cooled and provides for rapid transference oftemperature to l the kegs without necessitating forced circulation around the legs as by fans and or brine as required in coolers of commerce.

i This results in economy in operation and reducing cost of manufacture.

Having the coils 32 located back of the steel contact is maderesulting in increased efficiencyg, in temperature transfer, the shell 2| and coils 32 becoming an integral structure.

By sealing the space between the coils 32 with asphalt, the coils, shells and asphalt become a solid entity forming a highly efiicient conductor of temperature and by backing this structure with the cork insulation even temperature distribution is obtained.

The space between the shells 2| and the exterior of the cooler being sealed air tight and moisture proof no frosting can occur except on the inner face of the shells 2.

The composite structure formed by the shells 2|, coils 32 and asphalt 31 acts to store the cold temperature so that a similar temperature will be maintained in the compartments I9, 20 for a substantial period of time after the plant has been shut off thereby preventing suddenor rapid fluctuations in temperature in the compartments I9, 20.

The described glass cooling tank will maintain the glasses at the same temperature as that of the beer so that the beer may always be served at the proper temperature.

The foregoing will, it is believed, sufiice to impart a clear understanding of my invention without further explanation.

Manifestly the invention, as described, is sus ceptible of modification without departing from the inventive concept and right is herein reserved to such modifications as fall within the scope of the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus of the class described, a cooling cabinet for kegs of beer comprising an elongated rectangular casing for installation lengthwise on a floor or the like, and having a pair .of

doorways in the rear side thereof upon oppo site sides of the transverse center of the casing, a pair of metallic shells in said casing upon opposite sides of said transverse center of U-shape in cross section fitted endwise therein between the top and bottom of said casing in laterally spaced relation to each other and to the front and ends of said casing and forming together with said top and bottom a pair of compartments opening onto said doorways, respectively, each for housing a keg of beer, doors for said doorfront of said casing.

2. In apparatus of the class described, a cooling cabinet for kegs of beer comprising an elongated rectangular casing for installation lengthwise on a fioor or the like, and having a pair of doorways in the rear side thereof upon opposite sides of the transverse center of the casing, a pair of metallic shells in said casing upon opposite sides of said transverse center of U-shape in cross section fitted endwise therein between the top and bottom of said casing in laterally spaced relation to each other and to the front and ends of the casing and forming together with said top and bottom a pair of compartments opening onto said doorways, respectively, each for housing a keg of beer, doors for said doorways, a cooling plant comprising a coil unit of spacedhorizontally disposed stretches shaped in conformity with said shells to fit around the outer surfaces thereof and bonded thereto into intimate engagement therewith, a layer-like wall of insulation separating said unit from the front and. ends of the casing and, comprising cork blocks bonded together in sealed relation, and a filler of cementitious insulation between said wall and the front and ends of said casing.

3. In apparatus of the class described, a cooling cabinet for kegs of beer comprising an elongated rectangular casing for installation lengthwise on a floor or the like, and having a pair of doorways in the rear side thereof upon opposite sides of the transverse center of the casing, a pair of metallic shells in said casing upon opposite sides of said transverse center of U-shape in cross section fitted endwise therein between the top and bottom of said casing in laterally spaced relation to each other and to the front and ends of the casing and forming together with said top and bottom a pair of compartments opening into said doorways, respectively, each for housing a keg of beer, doors for said doorways, a cooling plant comprising a coil unit of spaced horizontally disposed stretches shaped in conformity with said shells to fit around the outer surfaces thereof and bonded thereto into intimate engagement therewith, a layer-like wall of insulation separating said unit from the front and ends of said casing and comprising cork blocks bonded together in sealed relation, a filler of cementitious insulation between said wall and the front and ends of said-casing, and a layer of asphalt interposed between said wall and unit and filling the-space between the stretches of the latter.

4. In apparatus of the class described, a cooling cabinet for kegs of beer comprising an elongated rectangular casing for installation lengthwise on a floor or'the like, and having a pair of top and bottom of said casing in laterally spaced relation to each other and to the front and ends of said casing and forming together with said top and bottom a pair of compartments opening ontosaid doorways, respectively, each for housing a keg of beer, doors for said doorways, a cooling plant comprising a coil unit of spaced horizontally disposed stretches shaped in conformity with said shells to fit around the outer surfaces thereof and bonded thereto into intimate engagement therewith, and insulation interposed between said unitand the ends and front of said casing, a raised closed bar surmounting the top of said casing and extending along the front half thereof, and bushings ex- BAY o. AYERS., 

